As former students, we all know the importance of having a study guide. A great study guide pulls together all the pertinent information from various sources to help you focus on the topic at hand. In the world of mass timber construction, complex codes and standards need to be well understood...

Have you used our Safety First topics in your production safety meetings? If not, why not? Safety First began in 2013 and the topics rotate every 24 months. This rotation schedule ensures that  your new hires have access to important safety topics. From Substance Abuse, Safe Lifting...

How can a “Back-to-Business” plan help communities and business owners recover after a damaging event? In this guest article, David Cocke, S.E., explores the history of “B2B” programs and how they help expedite the inspection process so owners can get back to normal...

A few times in May, I have been asked if I would write my June column on the COVID-19 crisis. My answer has been, “I’m not sure.” Obviously, we all have many thoughts and feelings on the topic. We all are confronting the challenges in our lives each day. We all have strong...

As elected officials discuss potential policies to support the nation’s economic recovery, the American Wood Council (AWC) is supporting a number of policy efforts to stimulate housing, and construction in general. In addition, we have engaged on a related issue that has the potential to...

While many Americans are stuck at home without work, most of us have been blessed to keep working, at home or in component plants. Remarkably, most CMs have operated continuously with very few incidents. One large manufacturer with 1500 associates has not had a single Covid case. Then, why such...

Many of us have been spending extra time at home the past few months, bringing new meaning to May as Building Safety Month. This year’s theme was aptly chosen and is “Safer Buildings, Safer Communities, Safer World.” Ensuring that local building codes are up-to-date with the...

With the growing danger of natural disasters, the race is on to expand access to programs that safeguard lives from the human-made danger of poorly built housing. With the common mission of building safer, stronger structures, Build Change and Simpson Strong-Tie have partnered for the Simpson...

Oh, to be able to call our current situation simply one big joke—wouldn’t that be nice! Of course, we’re all taking this very seriously, as we should. We’re all finding our way, day by day, as we adjust to the changing circumstances. We’re developing ways to stay...

Corona Virus or Covid-19 has undoubtedly turned the world in which we live, work, socialize, learn, and play upside down. As I write this in the last week of March, we are starting a 4-week shutdown of our manufacturing facility in New Zealand and a 2-week shutdown period for both Indianapolis...